Guacamole - Bringing People Together

This summer, my second child went to her first days of preschool. She went reluctantly at first but eventually (after 4 weeks) she was willing to go and actually enjoyed herself. One of the things that helped her was eating lunch with her mates after her school was over. A group of complete strangers (mommies) ate lunch together with their kids who were beginning to know each other through the class. And what happened was that we all began to know each other and by the end of nine weeks, we could call each other by name, the kids by name, and have a general sense of everyone's personalities. Dare I say it? We became friends.

I'd like to take credit for that coming together of bodies - because I think it was the guacamole. The first lunch date, I made fresh, homemade guacamole, and brought in a plastic container with a bag of chips. My daughter and I shared it with one boy, who just couldn't keep his hands out of it. Their teachers came out and talked with us and also ate some guacamole. The next lunch, I also brought it and then a few more kids couldn't keep their hands out of it. Before I knew it, I felt that bringing the guacamole and chips and a tub of cut watermelon was my assignment and I did it. And the crowd that gathered at the table was steady and the kids enjoyed it. We shared that guacamole and chips, laughed together and got through the emotions of sending our children to school. And the kids - they became friends. My daughter still talks about those times eating with her friends at the table outside of her classroom.

The lesson in all of this - you want to make friends? Bring some guacamole to the table.

Tip
Avocados generally come to the market pretty hard - makes for better transportation. So how do you ripen them?

Can you identify the picture below?

Fast food drink tray is only part of the answer.

Avocado ripening tray is a better answer.

I saw this tip on Alton Brown's show on the Food Network and thought it brilliant. His logic? Keeps each of the avocados separate and prevents them from bruising each other. Truly, avocados this way ripen so gorgeously you just want to smoosh them into your face. The next time you go to fast food, don't forget to pick one of these bad boys up. (Avocados not included.)

Friendship Guacamole

2 ripe avocados (I prefer Haas, but get what you can.)
Juice of 1 lime
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne (more if you like some kick)
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cloves of garlic chopped
1 roma tomato, seeded and chopped
2 T finely chopped cilantro

In a large bowl place the scooped avocado pulp and lime juice, toss to coat. Using a fork, add the salt, cumin, and cayenne and mash. Then, fold in the tomatoes, cilantro, and garlic.

Printable recipe